The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners are asking for a raise in salary for the commission chair. On Tuesday, they unanimously approved a resolution to adjust the salary from $74,266 to $136,011.
In a press release from the commissioners on Tuesday, they say that the salary should reflect cost of living adjustments and to reflect the growth of the county. They believe the salary should be more in line with positions that serve larger communities.
Historically, the county only offers raises that are employee based, but in this case, they say it’s time for an adjustment. The last salary adjustment was made in 2007.
If approved by the General Assembly, the new salary would be effective on Jan. 1, 2022, unless delegation changes that timelines.
The commission chair, currently held by newly elected Nicole Love Hendrickson, is the only position that is full time, and it often requires night and weekend work.
A statement made by the commissioners says that the decision has also largely been influenced by county growth. “The resolution observed that the salary correction would recognize the increased responsibility and workload of the chair resulting from the county’s increased population.” The chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners oversees the largest provider of municipal services in Georgia with more than 5,000 employees and a budget of $1.9 billion. Gwinnett County has a population estimated at 980,000 and is expected to reach 1.5 million by 2040.
The chair represents Gwinnett County on several powerful agencies, such as the Atlanta Regional Commission and Association County Commissioners of Georgia, and often serves as the voice of the county government with the state and federal governments, the media and the public.
